Paul Ray, commander of the American Legion Post 353 in Mustang, hands a check for $1000 to Child Nutrition Director Tammy Bales. The money will be used to help families facing financial difficulty pay their children’s lunch charges. Also pictured are (from left) Jerry Ashley, Ray, John Traffanstedt, Bales and Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel.

Members of the American Legion dropped off a check at Mustang Public Schools for $1000 Thursday morning to pay for lunch accounts for the children of families facing financial difficulty. Paul Ray, American Legion commander, asked Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel for some numbers on delinquent accounts and then took the suggestion to the executive committee. They passed the recommendation onto the American Legion membership.

“The membership voted to pay off what was delinquent and then add some just in case,” he said. “It was just kind of a brainstorm and everybody wanted to do it. The community of Mustang is good to us, so it truly gives us pleasure to give back.”

This isn’t the first time this year that a portion of the lunch accounts have been paid off. One grandfather with a grandson at Canyon Ridge Intermediate, Eric Moreau, has given just shy of $1000 in the last two years.

“I don’t have a lot of money, but then I don’t need a lot of money,” he said. “So I got them all paid current. It might make them feel better.”

McDaniel said the district is setting up a special activity account exclusively for individuals and organizations who want to help pay for children’s delinquent lunch accounts.

“This is a prime example of why Mustang is the community it is,” McDaniel said. “People take care of our kids in countless ways. The American Legion and individuals like Mr. Moreau are seeing to their needs at the most basic level.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the account may contact Tammy Bales, child nutrition director, at balest@mustangps.org, or Student Assistance Program Coordinator Kim Baker, at bakerk@mustangps.org.